Senate adds end of insurance mandate to tax bill

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Acceding to the wishes of, among others, Sen. Tom Cotton and Donald Trump, Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell said the Senate tax bill would add a provision to repeal Obamacare's requirement for all to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty.

McConnell contends this would make it easier to pass the bill. Not with the few Republican moderates it won't.

Democrats contend ending the mandate will mean millions will stop buying insurance and that will raise rates dramatically for those who must buy insurance.

Cotton contends the end of the mandate will "save" money for tax cuts. What he doesn't say is the savings come from the end of federal subsidies to help buy insurance for people who will now be uninsured. They'll be screwed and so will the hospitals and other providers that must give them unreimbursed care.

Deprive working poor of insurance coverage to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. Is Tom Cotton a swell guy or what?